17.6.17

Zambia suspends 48 opposition MPs for boycotting President’s speech

The Zambian parliament on Tuesday
suspended 48 opposition lawmakers for boycotting Zambia's president, Edgar
Lungu’s address at the official opening of the assembly in March

The
lawmakers from the United Party for National Development (UPND) skipped
Lungu's address claiming he was not the legitimate winner of the 2016
election.

Parliament Speaker Patrick Matibini
announced the suspension of the 48 lawmakers since they are yet to
recognize Lungu as the head of state.

"I
challenge you to resign on moral grounds if you do not recognize that
there is a legitimately elected government," Matibini said in
parliament.

"I have, in exercise of my powers,
decided to suspend the 48 members of parliament from service for a
period of 30 days with effect from today."

Matibini
said that the lawmakers would not be paid or have access to the
parliament building or lodgings during their suspension.

The
leader of UPND’, Hakainde Hichilema, who also has refused to recognize
Lungu as president with claims that the Presidential election was
rigged to favour the President, was arrested in April alongside five
others for allegedly failing to give way to President Edgar Lungu's
motorcade.

Hichilema and the five are currently facing treason charges and are being detained at a maximum prison jail in Kabwe.